Display fixture for supporting components of a mechanical assembly



C. L. LARRY v DISPLAY FIXTURE FOR SUPPORTING COMPON 3,493,123 EN'IS Feb. 3, 1970 OF A MECHANICAL ASSEMBLY 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. .6, 1967 INVENTOR Car/"0U L. Larry L -l0l Imi Feb.'3, l970 c. LARRY 3,493,123

I DISPLAY FIXTURE FOB SUPPORTING COMPONENTS 1 OF A MECHANICAL ASSEMBLY Filed Nov. 6, 1967 :5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q 3 s Q w @111 a m an. q M on -q a q- INVENTOR Feb. 3, 1970 c; L. LARRY DISPLAY FIXTURE FOR SUPPORTING COMPONENTS OF A MECHANICAL ASSEMBLY Filed Nov. 6, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Carro/ A. L ar/"y I BY ,4, Ana/wa s United States Patent 3,493,123 DISPLAY FIXTURE FOR SUPPORTING COM- PONENTS OF A MECHANICAL ASSEMBLY Carroll L. Larry, Peoria, Ill. (3777 Vira Road, Stow, Ohio 44224) Filed Nov. 6, 1967, Ser. No. 680,787 Int. Cl. A47f /10 US. Cl. 211-176 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The disclosure describes a fixture for supporting individual parts of a mechanical assembly in a three dimensional array simulating an exploded view. The fixture includes a base, platform and one or more removable rails. Axially vertical pegs are adjustably positioned horizontally and vertically in the rails. Holding devices such as magnets are mounted on the pegs to hold the parts of the mechanical assembly on the pegs.

The invention relates to a fixture for supporting and displaying parts of a mechanical assembly in disassembled condition.

Heretofore, it has been found very dilficult to arrange a plurality of parts of a mechanical assembly in a plurality of axially aligned arrays for photographing them in an exploded view. Where the parts are of different sizes the difliculty is compounded. If the parts are laid out separately on a bench or other horizontal support, true three dimensional axially aligned arrays cannot be obtained, particularly when the parts have different sizes and the axes of the arrays are not coplanar. Furthermore, if the parts are taped, tied or cemented in position, their positions cannot be changed easily.

The present invention is directed at solving the above and other difliculties and disadvantages in a novel, simple and effective manner. According to the invention the fixture or display device has a platform on which the main housing or body of a mechanical assembly can be disposed. All parts which are disposed in the body in axial alignment are removed from the body in turn and mounted on pegs adjustably held in horizontal rails which are carried by the platform. As many alignment or assembly axes as required in one or more planes can be provided. The rails are readily adjustable horizontally around the platform. The pegs are movable horizontally and vertically. They have longitudinally spaced slots which fit into keys of movable blocks on the rails. Alternatively the rails have flanges which engage the slots of the pegs. The pegs are arranged so that they can be turnedto disengage the slots from the keys of the blocks or flanges of the rails. Then the released pegs can be moved up or down as required. They can be turned to reengage the slots of the pegs with the keys or flanges of the blocks or rails. Magnets of different shapes can be quickly mounted to the tops of the pegs. The magnets are adjustably positioned on axially vertical axes in any desired horizontal orientation. In a simplified arrangement, the platform of the fixture can itself be provided with slots oriented in different positions. The slots of the pegs can be quickly engaged on or disengaged from the rims of the slots in the platform.

Fixtures embodying the inventionhave a wide range of utility. They can as indicated above be used in arranging multi-axial-planar set-ups of components of an assembly for photographing. They can also be used as training aids in vocational teaching by providing three dimensional displays of many components of an assembly in dissassembled array. They can be used for displaying wares or parts in a display window, display case, or

"ice

wherever a three dimensional display of many items of different sizes and shapes disposed in certain relative fixed positions, is desired.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a display fixture embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the display fixture of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the display fixture with a plurality of mechanical components mounted thereon in a three dimensional, multi-axial array.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of portions of the display fixture, parts being broken away.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view similar to FIG. 4 of a peg block assembly, parts being broken away, the peg being shown rotated from its position in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are enlarged fragmentary sectional views taken on lines 6-6 and 77 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of another rail, peg and magnet assembly which can be used in display fixture.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of still another magnet.

FIG. 10 is an oblique plan view of part of another display fixture.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view with parts being broken away of another assembly of block and peg.

FIG. 12 is a top plan view with parts broken away of another display fixture.

Referring first to FIGS. 1-3, there is shown a display fixture 10 in which a rectangular pedestal 12 open at the top and bottom serves as a base for the fixture. On the open top of the pedestal is a rigid, horizontal rectangular platform 14. Edges of platform 14 extend outwardly of the vertical side walls 16 of the pedestal. The platform 14 can be mounted by screws 15 to the upper ends of the side walls 16. A plurality of rails 18 extend outwardly of the several edges of the platform in coplanar disposi tion. Each of the rails is a rectangular tubular member with aligned longitudinally extending slots 20 formed in both upper and lower walls 21, 22; see FIGS. 3 and 4. The slots terminate short of opposite ends 23, 24 of the rails. At end 23 of each rail is a rectangular recess 27 which fits frictionally on the edge of platform 14 so that the rail can be adjustably positioned along the platform. The other end 24 of the rail is open to receive rectangular blocks 25 in passage 29.

Each of the blocks 25 is a rectangular member with an axially vertical central hole 26. A pair of flat rec tangular keys 28 extend into the hole 26 from diametrically opposite points of wall 30. Adjacent edges 31 of the keys are spaced apart. Holes 26 of the blocks 25 receive pegs 32.

Each peg 32 is a cylindrical member formed with two straight grooves 34 on opposite sides extending axially almost the full length of the peg. The grooves 34 terminate at an ungrooved head 36 at the top of the peg. A multiplicity of circumferential grooves 38 spaced apart axially of the peg are formed in each peg. Grooves 38 communicate with grooves 34. Each peg can slide axially of hole 26 in a block 25 as indicated in FIG. 4. The keys 28 will extend into grooves 34'. After the peg is located at any desired position in the bl0ck,'the peg can be turned 90 asindicated by arrow A in FIG. 5 to engage the keys 28 in selected grooves .38. Thus the peg will be supported in an axially vertical position at any 3 desired elevation with respect to block 25 will be positioned at any desired point horizontally along any one of the rails 18. The peg will extend outwardly of the slots 20 in top and bottom walls of the selected rail.

A threaded hole 40 is provided in the head 36 of each peg. This hole receives a screw 42 to hold a U-shaped bar magnet 44. The bight 45 of each magnet has a hole 43 to receive screw 42. Legs 47 of the magnet have opposite N and S poles. A plate 46 can be mounted on each magnet to serve as a part of the magnetic circuit. Both the magnets and the plates can serve as supports for articles on the fixture 10.

FIG. 3 shows one use of the display fixture 10. A plurality of components 49a, 49b and 49c are shown mounted on top of pegs 32a, 32b, 32c supported by blocks 25 in one rail 18a. The articles are axially aligned on a horizontal axis H with a tubular extension 51 of a body 50 on platform 14. Body 50 can be part of a machine. Component 49a has a flat rectangular portion 52 which rests on a plate 46 held by magnet 44 on peg 32a. Component 49b is a ring held by magnet 44a in axial alignment with the tubular part 53 of component 49a. Cylindrical component 490 is held by magnet 44b in axial alignment with ring component 49b and tubular part 53. All the components are held in alignment with the tubular extensio 51 of body 50. Another rail 18-b supports another peg 32 on which is a tubular machine component 55 held in axial alignment with another tubular extension 56 of machine body 50. The axis H of component 55 can be different elevation from axis H. In order to hold the machine component stably, the magnet 44d can have concave faces 58 formed in upper ends of the legs 45b of the magnet; see FIG. 7. Magnet 44b can be similarly formed. In order to hold the ring component 49b, in a stable position, the upper faces 58a of magnet 4411 can be inclined as shown best in FIG. 9.

By the arrangement described above, as many rails can be provided as necessary with as many pegs as required. The tops of the pegs will be located at different heights depending on the sizes of the articles to be mounted on the pegs. The holding devices which can be magnets will be shaped in whatever form will best hold the articles in stable positions on the pegs. The magnets can be turned in whatever position is necessary on vertical axes to align the articles in axial alignment on the pegs.

'FIG. 8 shows another form of peg support and peg. Rail 180 is similar to rail 18 with a recess 27 in end 24 as in rail 18. Flanges 60 are inserted in grooves 62 formed longitudinally of inner sides of longitudinal slot 20'. Peg 32e is generally rectangular in cross section with fiat opposite sides 64. Grooves 66 are formed in the opposite narrower curved sides 68 of the peg. The peg is movable horizontally of slot 20 between flanges 60 as indicated by dotted lines and arrow B in FIG. 8. Then the peg is turned 90 as indicated by arrow C to engage selected opposed grooves 66 on the flanges. A magnet 44c can be mounted on the peg. This magnet can have curved faces 69 formed at upper ends of legs 45. Alternately the magnet faces can be shaped as shown by magnet 44d in FIG. 7. In magnets 44d and 44e the axes of curvature of faces 58 and 69 are parallel and perpendicular respectively to the sides of the magnets. Thus in the display fixture the magnets can have fiat upper faces disposed horizontally as in magnet 44 of FIG. 4, flat inclined faces as in magnet 44a of FIG. 9, or curved faces as in magnets 44d and 442 of FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. shows another display fixture 10A arranged to receive pegs 32e with fiat broad sides 64. This fixture has a platform 14a formed with a multiplicity of straight parallel slots 30 and cruciform slots 32. The platform can be mounted on top of walls 16 of pedestal 12 by means of screws a engaged with edges of the platform. By the arrangement described, there are slots extending at right angles to each other in the entire platform. Pegs 32c can be adjustably positioned in any slot in a horizontal plane as well as in any vertical plane for optimum display of articles to be mounted on tops of the pegs. As many pegs will be provided as necessary. The fiixture 10A has the advantage of simplicity since it employs no rails or mounting blocks. However fixture 10 has the advantage of supporting a greater number of rails in a more distributed array extending outwardly of the pedestal as far as desired.

Various modifications are possible in the structure of different parts of the fixtures. As one example, FIG. 11 shows that block 25a which supports peg 32 can be provided with a threaded hole 26a. Peg 32 is externally threaded. This arrangement permits the peg to be adjustably positioned in elevation in hole 26a more acurately than is possible with pegs 32 and 32e, where the pegs must be adjustably positioned in discrete steps determined by the spacing of slots 38 and 66.

As another example, platform 14!) on pedestal 12 in fixture 10B can be made circular rather than rectangular. Rails 18 can then be positioned radially of the platform anywhere in a full 360 horizontal plane for disposing axes of the rails perpendicular to multiple faces of body 50a on the platform. In platform 14 by contrast, the rails cannot be conveniently located at the corners of the platform. However platform 14 with parallel edges make it possible to provide a plurality of parallel rails at one or more edges of the platform. This is not possible with platform 14b.

The several parts of the display fixtures can be made of metal, plastic or other rigid material. They can be fabricated at relatively low cost by high speed, mass production, material working machinery.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A display fixture comprising a support, a flat platform on said support for supporting a body; a plurality of axially vertical pegs carried by said support and adjustable disposed in axially vertical and horizontal positions; and means on said pegs for supporting articles of various shapes and sizes thereon in axial alignment with each other and with parts of said body, said platform extends peripherally outward of said support all around the platform, and further comprising a plurality of horizontal rails slidably engaged at one end thereof with the periphery of the pltaform, said pegs being supported by said rails, each rail is tubular in form and rectangular in cross section with a central passage extending almost the full length of the rail, each rail having slots in upper and lower walls of the rail extending longitudinally of the rail and opening into said passage, and further comprising rectangular blocks slidably disposed in said slots, each block having a hole extending therethrough, with one of said pegs extending through the hole in a block and through the slots in the rail, each block has at least one key extending radially inwardly of the hole in the block, and wherein each peg has at least one longitudinally extending groove to receive said key and permit the peg to be moved axially with respect to a block and rail, each peg further having a plurality of circumferentially axially spaced grooves opening into the longitudinal groove for engaging a key in any selected circumferential groove, whereby each peg is adjustably positioned horizontally along a rail and vertically with respect to the rail.

2. A display fixture comprising a support, a flat platform on said support for supporting a body; a plurality of axially vertical pegs carried by said support and adjustable disposed in axially vertical and horizontal positions; and means on said pegs for supporting articles of various shapes and sizes thereon in axial alignment with each other and with parts of said body, said platform ex tends peripherally outward of said support all around the platform, and further comprising a plurality of horizontal rails slidably engaged at one end thereof with the periphery of the platform, said pegs being supported by said rails, each rail has a longitudinally extending slot with flanges on opposite sides of an extending inwardly of the slot, each of the pegs being generally rectangular in cross section with a plurality of circumferentially extending axially spaced grooves at opposite narrow walls of the peg for engaging with the flanges, the width of each peg being less than the spacing of the flanges, whereby each peg is adjustably positioned horizontally along a rail and vertically with respect to the rail.

3. A display fixture comprising a support, a flat platform on said support for supporting a body; a plurality of axially vertical pegs carried by said support and adjustable disposed in axially vertical and horizontal positions; and means on said pegs for supporting articles of various shapes and sizes thereon in axial alignment with each other and with parts of said body, said platform has a multiplicity of slots disposed parallel to each other with some slots disposed perpendicular to other slots, each of said pegs having a plurality of axially spaced circumferential grooves, each peg being generally rectangular in cross section with widths less than the spacing of edges of the slots for moving freely vertically through tne slots in the platform, said grooves being formed in opposite narrow walls of the pegs for engaging on adjacent edges of the slots when the pegs are turned to engage said grooves on the edges of the Slots.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 691,138 1/1902 Hawley 248-287 1,260,370 3/1918 Goodwin 248l6l 2,451,733 10/ 1948 Hochwarder 248287 2,458,950 1/ 1949 Luzardo 248l24 2,587,232 2/1952 Schmader 248124 2,773,477 12/1956 Michael 248287 FOREIGN PATENTS 531,992 8/1955 Italy.

EDWARD C. ALLEN, Primary Examiner 

